Thailand recorded 3.8 million foreign arrivals from January to August 17, up over 3,000% compared to the same period last year, a government official said on Friday.
Taweesin Visanuyothin, a spokesperson for the spokesperson of the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), said that the arrivals, mainly from Malaysia, India, Singapore, UK and Vietnam, generated about THB176 billion (USD4.9 billion) in revenue.
Beginning in October, Thailand’s visa-on-arrival duration for citizens of India, China, and Saudi Arabia will be extended from 15 days to 30 days, according to Taweesin. The policy change is meant to help the tourism industry bounce back from the downturn caused by the pandemic.
The Finance Ministry expects 8-10 million tourists this year, up from the previous prediction of 7 million.
